Gummed tape dispensing means



Jan. 5, 1937. T. R. GAUTIER GUMMED TAPE DISPENSING nEANs original Filed Nov. 29, 19:55

M M M /v wewm, 7, Ogm, M qm E WQ l` l l Sm Mr mow Y uV o om y mom, Bm

Patented Jan. s, 1937 PATENT OFFICE 2,666,616 GUMMED TAPE msrENsiNc MEANS Trevor R.. Gautier, Nashua, N. H., assigner to Nashua Gummed and 9Coated Paper Company, Nashua, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application November 29, 1933, Serial No. 700,235. Divided and this application March 20, 1936, Serial No. 69,829

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to means for'dispensing gummed tape, as for package sealing, wrapping and similar purposes, and more particularly aims to provide in a device of the class referred to improved tape feeding and control means in conjunction with'othe'r features whereby the operator, such as a packer in a shipping room, may readily obtain lengths of tape or strip material, in the desired different lengths, in moistened condition for application to a package,

shipping container or the like.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 700,235, flled November 29, 1933. y

In the drawing, illustrating by way of example -one embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 1 is a right side elevation of the front portion of one form of machine in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional View as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

As herein illustrated, the machine as a whole is housed in a suitable framing, herein including spaced side frames, the right side frame being indicated at I, Figs. 1 and 2, these members being removably connected as by the tie rods two of which are indicated at 2 and 3. The housing may be equipped with supporting feet 1 desirably provided with rubber or other cush ioning members 8.

At the rear portion of the machine the side frames provide between them a well or chamber I 0 for the tape supply or roll. Hinged or other cover means for the tape supply chamber and the operating mechanism forwardly thereof may be provided, as in my copending application.

The condition of the tape supply roll in its chamber may be observed through an inspection Window .or opening I9 in one or both side frames. Laterally adjustable guide plates, one of which is seen at 22, Fig. 1, may be provided for accommodating different widths of tape.

The tape T from the roll supply is conducted forwardly between and by means of lower and upper pinch feed rolls or wheels 35 and 36, as seen in dotted line in Fig. l. The lower feed wheel is adapted to be driven, for feeding the tape forwardly to and. past the severing and the moistening means, as by means of a pinion-43 on the same. shaft with the lower feed wheel and meshing with an intermediate gear |00 having fixed to it a relatively small pinion |02 `in turn meshing with a comparatively large spider or ring gear |03 on a stud |04 and carrying ratchet disc |05.

The operating element proper for the feed means comprises a lever ||0 rockable on the stud |04. The lever is provided atits upper end with an operating handle ||2 removably secured to it as by the screw-headed pin ||3..= The operating lever has a one-way or free-wheel connection with the large gear |03. Such connection may be of any suitable type, as for example a Horton clutch, and I have herein shown for the purpose the spring-pressed pawls H4, ||5 pivoted on the operating lever ||0. The described gearing and the lower feed roll desirably are proportioned and related in sucha way that movement of the feed lever ||0 through a comparatively short arc is effective to feed easily and rapidly the maximum desired lengths of tape, for example, up to thirty inches or more. At the same time the machine retains the capacity to serve ac- .u

Atape as herein illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a fixed member or blade 56 extending transversely above the tape path and cooperable with the pivoted blade or knife 62 which normally lies below the path of the tape.

One means for operating the tape knife as herein shown comprises a link |65 having its upper end connected with the'movable` blade and its lower end fastened to the inner end of a cut-off lever |61 pivoted as at |68 upon the adjacent side frame This lever is extended forwardly to a point convenient to the hand of the operator and is provided with an operating piece |69 whereby it may readily be depressed. The movable knife 62 is normally held down, andthe operating end of the cut-off lever |61 consequently up, as by means of a coil spring |10. The cut-off lever |61 is constructed and arranged in relation to the feed lever ||0 so that as the operator completes a forward or feeding stroke his hand comes conveniently adjacent the operating piece |69 of the cut-off lever and the latter may be engaged and depressed, if the desired tape length has ,been` obtained, without necessitating the operator to shift his hand from the feed lever handle and substantially` as a continuation of the tape feeding movement of his hand or arm.

Forwardly of the severing means the tape is conducted past suitable moistening means which may include a wick, roller, brush or other moistening device. As in the parent application, the illustrated machine is equipped with a reservoir or tank 15 removably supported as upon the upper cross-bolt 3. A capillary moistening element or brush 00 is positioned in the reservoir with its free end projecting upwardly to the tape path, for moistening engagement with the under face of the advancing tape. The latter is guided across the brush in moistening relation with it as by a ilxedly positioned deilector or guide 92. The moistened tape is delivered from beneath this deilector, across the top ofthe reservoir, in readineas for use.

The operating mechanism for the feed means, including the gear train and the inner portion of the feed lever IIO, is enclosed by a demountable 'housing or cover |30, having a hollow boss |33 enclosing the hub of the operating or feed lever. This cover is of general quadrant shape and is removably bolted against the side frame as by means of its attaching ears |35, |36 and |31. Within it is supported the return spring |4| for the feed lever. The inoperative or return stroke of the latter is limited by suitable stop means herein comprising a rubber or other buffer |46 on bracket |40 rising from the side frame I, the buifer being positioned to abut a lateral projection |50 on the lever.

'Ihe feed lever ||0 travels in a slot |40, see Fig. 2, provided between the upper arcuate wall of the quadrant cover |30 and a corresponding arcuate flange on the adjacent portion of the side frame. In some instances, particularly where the requirement is predeterminedly for maximum lengths of tape, the forward or maximum feed position of the lever may be determined by its engagement with the bottom end wall of the operating slot. But in order to obtain various selected intermediate lengths of tape, by setting the mechanism to supply such lengths, I desirably provide adjustable stop means associatedwith the feed lever. As herein illustrated the cover plate |30 is formed with an arcuate slot I5| slidably receiving a stud |52 having an inner end or head |52* positioned as a positive stop in the path of a finger or projection |53 on the lever; see Fig. 1. The outer end of this stud is threaded to receive a nut |54 adapted to tighten the stop head |52n against the cover, thereby to hold it adjustably at any selected positionalong the arcuate slot. 'Ihe advancing or tape feeding movement of the feed lever IIO thus is positively halted by the described adjustable stop means |52-I54, atwhatever point this stop is predeterminedly set, corresponding to the desired selected length of tape.

To assist the operator in arriving at known lengths` of tape I desirably provide a scale |55, calibrated in units of tape lengths, for example, inches, and the stop may be provided with a setting pointer cooperable with the scale. As illustrated, such pointer herein comprises a separable element having a hub portion |56, Fig. 1, received on a flattened part of the stop stud |52, said pointer including an indicating portion or pointer proper |51 extending to a point adjacent or overlapping the graduated scale |55. The latter is shown as'a separable strip on the arcuate flange of the cover plate |30, where it directly faces and may be readily viewed by the operator., Obvlously also the scale whether graduated in inches or otherwise affords means whereby the operator may quickly determine at any instant during an actual feeding operation the particular length of tape which has been delivered past the severing means, and in this connection the leading edge or other part of the operating lever may be utilized as a pointer or indicator in connection are likely to be required, the stop |52 may be set at the extreme forward bottom end of the slot I5 I, or may be removed entirely. This adjustable positive stop |52, however, provides for but a single predetermined, although adjustable or variable length. Under some working conditions it is found desirable to be able to dispense optionally, at the will of the operator, either of two predetermined or set lengths of tape, whether alternately or in any plurality of one length followed by one or more of the other length. Of course any shorter length may be had at anyy time merely by use of the visual scale, the operator following the edge of the feed lever or its pointer |59 along the scale and halting the feed movement. at the desired point. This requires special attention on the operators part, however, so that he cannot give his entire attention at such time to other operations.

In order to assist the operator in obtaining such alternative lengths, selectively, I have herein provided a telltale, signaling or indicating means, which dispenses with visual effort on the operators part. As herein illustrated, and referring now to Figs. 2 and 3 as well as to Fig. 1, I have shown for the purpose an arm loosely pivoted y on the boss |33 of the gear cover |30. 'I'his arm is normally stationary but may be swung to variousadjusted positions corresponding to the desired less-than-one-stroke length of tape, or corresponding to a required over-length.

The arm |95 is of a length to extend over the arcuate guide slot |5| for the stop |52. In line with this slot the arm |95 carries a pin |96 having a headed portion |91 at its inner end and threaded at its outer end for reception of a tightening wing nut |98, so that the arm as a whole may be fixedly secured in the desired position of adjustment. A second arcuate slot |99 is formed in the cover plate |30, concentrically with the boss |33 and intermediate the latter and the stop slot |5I. This second slot receives slidably a lateral boss 200 at the inner` face of the arm |95.

This boss houses the spring-pressed telltale member or signaling plunger 20|, this latter having a pin-and-slot connection 202 with the boss, to prevent their relative rotation. The telltale 20| is normally urged inwardly by a coil spring 203 bearing between a collar 204 on the telltale and 'a cap 205 adjustably threaded on the outer end of' the boss 200. A knurled head or finger piece 206 is secured to the outer end of the telltale, for holding the latter out of operative position at suchtimes when it is not desired for use. Ordinarily, however, the telltale will remain in its position as in Fig. 2, irrespective of .whatever length of tape is to be dispensed, and the operator obtains the desired length either by halting the feed lever A 2,066,018 when he is informed that it is at the telltale or,

by simply dlsregarding the telltale and continuing the feed to the required length. The head 209 vdesirably is rotatable with respect to the telltale itself.

telltale in inoperativel position by .abutting engagement with the inner face of the head 206. The latter has an aperturel 200 adapted to be turned oppositee` the pin 201 and to receive the latter, so as-to let in the telltale when it is to be used. 'Ihe feed lever ||0 is provided with a cam-like projection 209 for cooperation with the 4telltale said member having beveled faces as indi-`Y cated at 2|0 2|0'L for contact, dependingon the dn-eotion of the feed lever, with .the corresponding beveled face 2li or 2| l! at the inner end of the telltale.

Assume now that the supplemental arm |95 has been set in'some such position as shown in Fig. 1, and that first a relatively long length of tape is desired, for example, corresponding to the position of the stop` |52* as seen in said figure. As the feeding lever is drawn forwardly, the cam formation 2|0 of the ca-m 209 on the feed lever contacts the beveled face 2| I of the telltale, which latter yields and permits the feed lever to pass forwardly beyond it. until halted by the stop |52'-. The' length of tape thus fed may be cut olf, by depressing the lever |61, or an additional length may first be fedy out." At the e'nd ofthe feed stroke, wherever terminated, the usual procedure is that the operator lets go of the lever, which auotomatically is returned to its initial or full back position, as in Fig. l. If then the shorter length of tape is desired, the lever is" moved forwardly until the telltale signals said length. The

operator then has but to release the lever or halt the forward movement of his arm, leairing the required short length of tape in readiness `to be cut off and used.

It will be understood that the telltale serves to give notice to the operator that the feed lever is' at or adjacent that measured or predetermined ably more often be utilized during the forward orA feedi'ng stroke of the lever, since it is generally more convenient to release the lever after a feeding movement and to allow it to return automatically to the full back initial position as in Fig. l.

By reason of the double beveled construction of the telltale' and cooperating cam member 209, the feed lever is never positively stopped thereby and need not be halted or retarded at the shortlength point unless the operator so elects, but may intentionally be moved or allowed to move past it, in either direction. 'I'he spring loading upon the telltale may be so adjusted that the operator is readily able `to sense or feel that. the feed lever has. arrived at the telltale, as indicated by the pressing contact between the latter and the member 209 upon the lever. Thus the telltale may be utilized to signal for a termination of a forward or feeding stroke of the lever at a selected point short of the full feed stroke, or it may be used to inform the operator as to a point in the return path of the lever, so that he can obtain a determined short length by starting the next feed stroke at such intermediate point rather than at the full return position of the lever..

Generally, as above noted, whenalternate or A pin 201 projects outwardly from the' cap 205, this pin being of a length to retain the other succession of long and short lengths are desired it is more convenient to allow the lever to make its full return, and to start each feed stroke with the lever positioned as shown in Fig. 1. For the longer lengths the lever is moved until positively stopped by the adjustable stop |52 or by .the end wall of the slot |5| if such stop'isl not being used. For the shorter lengths, under this method of operation, the fully returned lever is moved from the same initial position, theoperator feeling for the telltale and letting go of the lever when the signal is received. IfV it is considered rate length with the lever at or adjacent the telltale. As shown in Fig. 2, a second. separate scale |55a may be provided, as at the other side of the feed lever from the scale |55 and graduated to read upwardly, with the lowest unit adjacent the` front linut ofthe stroke of the lever, to assist in setting the telltale for use in association with the back stroke of the feed lever, such scale being adjustable if desired in conformity with the adjusted position of the stop |52.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that whenever any successive plurality of the greaterlengths of tape 1s desired, the telltale is disregarded, during movement of the feed lever in both -V 1 directions. No special attention is required by the operator, who need but release the lever after any feed stroke, whereupon it automatically passes the telltale and makes its full return stroke. A shift to a shorter length is readily made at any time, without manipulation of any part, merely by observing the signal conveyed by the telltale. It will be understood that the described telltale device may be used in conjunction with an adjustable stop such as the stop means |52-I54-or independently of the latter, or that one or more additional arms |95 together with the associated parts may be supplied if it is desired to provide for readily obtaining visually a greater plurality of different but adjustable tape lengths.

My invention is not limited to the particularA illustrative embodiment herein shown and described, its scopebeing set forth in the appended claims. l

I claim:

l. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination with a' frame and tape roll support, means for engaging and advancing the tape, a feed lever having a feed movement and a return movement, anadjustable stop in the path of :the feed lever to predetermine the extent of its feed movement, one or more telltale elements inthe lever path, rearwardly of said stop, said elements and the feed lever having yieldinginterengageable means to signal the movement of the lever past them sufiiciently for informative purposes but permitting passage of the lever at the will of the operator.

2. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination vwith a frame .zand tape roll support, means for engaging and advancing the tape, a feed lever, an adjustable member in the lever path, and interengageable means between said member and the lever opposing passage of the lever sufliciently only to inform the operator of the position ofthe lever relative to said member and allowing passage of the lever on application of aiiitional -force. and means to render said member and means mutually inoperative Awhen desired. l 3. lIn a pape dispensingmachine, in combina- 1 tion, .a supporting. frame includings taperoll support, tape feeding means, a manual operating element for the feeding means, and yieidable telitale means to signal a position of the' manual ele.- ment thereby to inform as to a corresponding 10 ,length 0I tape feed, Said .telltale means in'eliiiig il,06e,e18,.

contactable parts, one carried by the manual .ele-r 

